Barnsley MP wants an end to ticket touts

The Labour MP for Barnsley East wants the Government to introduce proposals to prevent the bulk-purchase of thousands of sports and music tickets the moment they are available online.

He voted in favour of the proposals in the House of Commons but the Government rejected them.

An open letter was sent to the Government from prominent bands and figures in music and sport - including the Arctic Monkeys from Sheffield.

Many fans of popular sports and music events are forced to pay extortionate prices for tickets because of touts.

Tickets for One Direction’s UK tour, whose sold out October dates at the Sheffield Motorpoint Arena were originally sold at their face value of between £43.45 and £71.50, are now available from ticket marketing websites from £125.00.

Mr Dugher said: “As a keen sports and music fan myself, I’m sure people in Barnsley will be very disappointed that the Government has ruled out action to tackle ticket touting.

“It is incredibly frustrating for fans to be unable to buy tickets to see their favourite events when they go on sale and then have to pay massively inflated prices if they still wish to go.

“I voted to protect fans interests but this Government is only interested in standing up for a privileged few.”